Developmental Apraxia of Speech – An In Depth Look

by Courtenay M. Articulation Disorders Language Development News Parents' Corner Speech delay Speech Disorders Speech Therapist Speech Therapy Techniques
A is for Apraxia

What is Developmental Apraxia of Speech?

A is for Apraxia.  On Monday, we took at look at Apraxia of Speech in children.  Specifically, we outlined the types of apraxia of speech and related symptoms. The most common type of apraxia of speech in children is developmental, which means it is a neurologically based speech disorder. While some children with Developmental Apraxia of Speech (DAS) had specific prenatal or birth injuries, for the most part, there is no specific cause of DAS. This month, we will plan to take a look into the subject of Apraxia of Speech in children in more depth.

Continue reading →

Super Low Cost Speech Therapy Tips and Tricks!

by Courtenay M. Articulation Disorders Arts and Crafts At Home Ideas Language Development News Parents' Corner School Speech delay Speech Disorders Speech Therapy Techniques State Resources
Activities such as blowing bubbles are excellent low cost speech therapy activities that you can do at home!

Activities such as blowing bubbles are excellent low cost speech therapy activities that you can do at home!

Speech and language disorders affect children of all races and social-economic groups. If left untreated, speech disorders can affect a child’s ability to interact and communicate with others. Parents are constantly searching for low cost speech therapy tools and ideas. But where do you begin? The Internet is jam-packed with tools, gadgets, whistles and websites that can be confusing and misleading for parents. We have narrowed down a few low cost speech therapy ideas for you to try. Of course, we always recommend that you check in with your pediatrician or licensed speech therapist first before taking on any therapies on your own.

Continue reading →

Preparing for the Resolution Meeting

by Jacky G. Legal Issues
School Chalkboard

Image source: nichcy.org

If you do not agree with the school district’s proposed Individualized Education Program (IEP) for your child, you can try to negotiate with them. If that fails, you have the option to file for due process, which is a legal procedure by which disputes are resolved. There are several different components to due process. The reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 2004 mandated that the first step in due process must be a resolution meeting. Resolution meetings are similar to mediation in that the primary objective is to work out differences before resorting to a formal hearing. However, you should be aware that there is no neutral third-party present to moderate the discussion.

Continue reading →

Due Process FAQs

by Jacky G. Legal Issues
Gavel in Courtroom

Image source: pennlive.com

Ideally, parents, educators, and other professionals would be able to work together without acrimony or conflict to develop and carry out the child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). Unfortunately, sometimes ignoring problems for the sake of harmonious communication isn’t always best for the child. When you feel that your child’s best interests are not being served, it’s time to consider due process. Due process is a means of resolving disputes with the school district. The entire procedure can be rather overwhelming; use the following FAQs to develop an understanding of the basics.

Continue reading →

Finding Legal Help

by Jacky G. Legal Issues
Lawyer Cartoon

Image source: alltopmovies.net

Why Hire an Attorney?

When your child is diagnosed with a speech disorder, your first concern is finding a speech-language pathologist (SLP) who can help your child. If your child will receive special education services through the school, you might also need to look for an attorney. An attorney can help guide you through the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process, attend the IEP meeting with you, and help you resolve any disputes. If you must file a complaint or request due process, an attorney can increase your chances of success.

Continue reading →